IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/palcom/v12y2025i1d10.1057_s41599-025-04625-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

When the customers comes to you: mobile apps and corporate investment efficiency

Author

Listed:
  • Fu Xin

    (Hohai University)

  • Huimiao Yu

    (Hohai University)

  • Xuan Dong

    (Hohai University)

  • Chunhua Chen

    (Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance)

Abstract

Firms are increasingly shifting towards digital channels, yet the implications of this shift remain underexplored. Using a unique database of customer behaviors extracted from the top 2000 mobile apps developed by companies in China, this study investigates the impact of mobile apps on inefficient corporate investments. The results indicate that metrics such as active user count, usage duration, and app launch frequency can mitigate inefficient investments, notably by curtailing overinvestment. These findings survive a series of robustness checks such as altering the measures of inefficient investment, extending the analysis to include the top five apps, incorporating H-share listed firms, and employing instrumental variables regression. Moreover, the mechanism analysis indicates that mobile apps help reduce inefficient investments by lowering agency costs and relaxing financial constraints. Further analysis examines the business models of these apps (paid vs. free) as well as their reputation mechanisms, revealing that the pricing strategies of apps and the reputation of corporate brands also play a role in how the adoption of mobile apps affects inefficient investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Fu Xin & Huimiao Yu & Xuan Dong & Chunhua Chen, 2025. "When the customers comes to you: mobile apps and corporate investment efficiency," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-04625-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-04625-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-025-04625-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41599-025-04625-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yuchen Liu & Yinguo Dong & Weiwen Qian, 2024. "The impact of digital transformation on the quality and safety level of agricultural exports: evidence from Chinese listed companies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Sean Cao Robert H. Smith & Wei Jiang & Baozhong Yang J. Mack Robinson & Alan L Zhang & Tarun Ramadorai, 2023. "How to Talk When a Machine Is Listening: Corporate Disclosure in the Age of AI," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 36(9), pages 3603-3642.
    3. Eller, Robert & Alford, Philip & Kallmünzer, Andreas & Peters, Mike, 2020. "Antecedents, consequences, and challenges of small and medium-sized enterprise digitalization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 119-127.
    4. Gao, Xin & Xu, Weidong & Li, Donghui & Xing, Lu, 2021. "Media coverage and investment efficiency," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 270-293.
    5. Lucian A. Bebchuk & Alma Cohen & Scott Hirst, 2017. "The Agency Problems of Institutional Investors," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(3), pages 89-102, Summer.
    6. Zhou, Bole & Zhao, Shouguo, 2022. "Industrial policy and corporate investment efficiency," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    7. Liuyang Xue & Junan Dong & Shiyao Jiang, 2024. "Digital financial development and inefficient investment: a study based on the dual perspectives of resource and governance effects," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    8. Marianne Bertrand & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2003. "Enjoying the Quiet Life? Corporate Governance and Managerial Preferences," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 111(5), pages 1043-1075, October.
    9. Rajkovic, Tijana, 2020. "Lead independent directors and investment efficiency," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    10. Umar Farooq & Jaleel Ahmed & Shamshair Khan, 2021. "Do the macroeconomic factors influence the firm's investment decisions? A generalized method of moments (GMM) approach," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(1), pages 790-801, January.
    11. André Hanelt & René Bohnsack & David Marz & Cláudia Antunes Marante, 2021. "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Digital Transformation: Insights and Implications for Strategy and Organizational Change," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(5), pages 1159-1197, July.
    12. Guariglia, Alessandra & Yang, Junhong, 2016. "A balancing act: Managing financial constraints and agency costs to minimize investment inefficiency in the Chinese market," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 111-130.
    13. Eliezer M FichLe & Jarrad Harford & Anh L Tran, 2023. "Disloyal Managers and Shareholders’ Wealth," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 36(5), pages 1837-1888.
    14. Saddam A. Hazaea & Ebrahim Mohammed Al-Matari & Adam Mohamed Omer & Najib H. S. Farhan & Jinyu Zhu, 2024. "The impact of internal audit system on performance: evidence from emerging markets," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    15. Wen-Jye Hung & Lingyu Gong & Yamin Wang & Yan Wang, 2024. "Exploring the impact of auditor industry specialization on income smoothing," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    16. Perrons, Robert K. & Jensen, Jesse W., 2015. "Data as an asset: What the oil and gas sector can learn from other industries about “Big Data”," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 117-121.
    17. David Yermack, 2017. "Corporate Governance and Blockchains," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 21(1), pages 7-31.
    18. Bilel Bzeouich & Faten Lakhal & Neila Dammak, 2019. "Earnings management and corporate investment efficiency: does the board of directors matter?," Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 17(4), pages 650-670, December.
    19. Mohammed Benlemlih & Mohammad Bitar, 2018. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Investment Efficiency," Post-Print halshs-01321227, HAL.
    20. James S. Ang & Rebel A. Cole & James Wuh Lin, 2000. "Agency Costs and Ownership Structure," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 55(1), pages 81-106, February.
    21. Toni M. Whited & Guojun Wu, 2006. "Financial Constraints Risk," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 19(2), pages 531-559.
    22. Jiang, Fuxiu & Cai, Wenjing & Wang, Xue & Zhu, Bing, 2018. "Multiple large shareholders and corporate investment: Evidence from China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 66-83.
    23. Sumiyana Sumiyana & Ainun Na’im & Firdaus Kurniawan & Albertus H. L. Nugroho, 2023. "Earnings management and financial distress or soundness determining CEOs’ future over- and under-investment decisions," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    24. Zhiguo He & Péter Kondor, 2016. "Inefficient Investment Waves," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 84, pages 735-780, March.
    25. Eichfelder, Sebastian & Jacob, Martin & Schneider, Kerstin, 2023. "Do tax incentives affect investment quality?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    26. Xu, Guiyang & Li, Guanggui & Sun, Peibo & Peng, Dan, 2023. "Inefficient investment and digital transformation: What is the role of financing constraints?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    27. Chen, Ciao-Wei & Correia, Maria & Urcan, Oktay, 2023. "Accounting for leases and corporate investment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117182, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    28. Youliang Yan & Maochuan Wang & Jieji Lai, 2024. "Does corporate digitalization promote labor investment efficiency? Evidence from Chinese listed companies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    29. Chuan Zhang & Yueyun Wang, 2024. "Non-financial information farsightedness and capital market information efficiency," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, December.
    30. Jiang, Fuxiu & Ma, Yunbiao & Wang, Xue, 2020. "Multiple blockholders and earnings management," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    31. Nikolov, Boris & Schmid, Lukas & Steri, Roberto, 2021. "The Sources of Financing Constraints," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(2), pages 478-501.
    32. Yewei Huang & Junqin Qiu, 2023. "The power influence of executives and corporate investment efficiency: empirical evidence from Chinese state-owned enterprises," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    33. Charles J. Hadlock & Joshua R. Pierce, 2010. "New Evidence on Measuring Financial Constraints: Moving Beyond the KZ Index," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 23(5), pages 1909-1940.
    34. Usai, A. & Fiano, F. & Messeni Petruzzelli, A. & Paoloni, P. & Farina Briamonte, M. & Orlando, B., 2021. "Unveiling the impact of the adoption of digital technologies on firms’ innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 327-336.
    35. Ma, Dan & Zhu, Qing, 2022. "Innovation in emerging economies: Research on the digital economy driving high-quality green development," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 801-813.
    36. Wang, Jiangyuan & Wang, Hua & Wang, Di, 2021. "Equity concentration and investment efficiency of energy companies in China: Evidence based on the shock of deregulation of QFIIs," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    37. Zhai, Huayun & Yang, Min & Chan, Kam C., 2022. "Does digital transformation enhance a firm's performance? Evidence from China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    38. Wilbur Chen & Suraj Srinivasan, 2024. "Going digital: implications for firm value and performance," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 1619-1665, June.
    39. Meng, Qingbin & Li, Xinyu & Chan, Kam C. & Gao, Shenghao, 2020. "Does short selling affect a firm's financial constraints?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    40. Mohammed Benlemlih & Mohammad Bitar, 2018. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Investment Efficiency," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(3), pages 647-671, March.
    41. Prasanna Tambe, 2014. "Big Data Investment, Skills, and Firm Value," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(6), pages 1452-1469, June.
    42. Liguang Zhang & Wanyi Chen & Liao Peng, 2023. "The impact of tax enforcement on corporate investment efficiency: evidence from the tax administration information system," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 1635-1669, June.
    43. Sun, Guanglin & Li, Ting & Ai, Yongfang & Li, Qinghai, 2023. "Digital finance and corporate financial fraud," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    44. Steven N. Kaplan & Luigi Zingales, 1997. "Do Investment-Cash Flow Sensitivities Provide Useful Measures of Financing Constraints?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 112(1), pages 169-215.
    45. Chen, Zhongfei & Jiang, Kangqi, 2024. "Digitalization and corporate investment efficiency: Evidence from China," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shi, Jinyan & Yang, Jianheng & Li, Yanxi, 2020. "Does supply network location affect corporate investment efficiency?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    2. Wang, Sai & Wen, Wen & Niu, Yuhao & Li, Xin, 2024. "Digital transformation and corporate labor investment efficiency," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    3. Hao, Jing & Ren, Xingzi & Bi, Huining & Wu, Ji (George), 2025. "How does digital transformation predict the investment cycle in family enterprises?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    4. Cao, Ning & McGuinness, Paul B. & Xi, Chao, 2024. "Majority-of-the-minority shareholder votes and investment efficiency," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    5. Anagnostopoulou, Seraina C. & Tsekrekos, Andrianos E. & Voulgaris, Georgios, 2021. "Accounting conservatism and corporate social responsibility," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(4).
    6. Rajkovic, Tijana, 2020. "Lead independent directors and investment efficiency," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    7. Zhao, Tianjiao, 2021. "Board network, investment efficiency, and the mediating role of CSR: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 897-919.
    8. Kun Liu & Ying Zhu & Xiao Su & Lingchen Lu & Rui Fu, 2025. "Research on the impact of cross-border mergers and acquisitions on investment efficiency: evidence from Chinese listed companies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, December.
    9. Si, Yi & Yu, Minfeng & Zhang, Lei & Zhou, Qing (Clara), 2025. "Board reforms and firm employment: Worldwide evidence," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    10. Di Gao & Yuan Zhao & Jiangming Ma, 2023. "How Does Supply Chain Information Disclosure Relate to Corporate Investment Efficiency? Evidence from Chinese-Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-22, April.
    11. Yuan, Li & Rao, Siqi & Yang, Shenggang & Dai, Pengyi, 2023. "Does equity market openness increase productivity? the dual effects of Shanghai-Hong Kong stock Connect program in China," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    12. Guo, Shu & Zhang, ZhongXiang, 2023. "Green credit policy and total factor productivity: Evidence from Chinese listed companies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    13. Yang, Baochen & An, Haokai & Song, Xinyu, 2024. "Oil price uncertainty and corporate inefficient investment: Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    14. Li, Chengming & Wang, Yilin & Zhou, Zhihan & Wang, Zeyu & Mardani, Abbas, 2023. "Digital finance and enterprise financing constraints: Structural characteristics and mechanism identification," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    15. Pu Liu & Yingying Shao, 2022. "Innovation and new business formation: the role of innovative large firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 691-720, August.
    16. Keum, Daniel & Meier, Stephan, 2020. "License to Fire? Unemployment Insurance and the Moral Cost of Layoffs," IZA Discussion Papers 13497, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    17. Tian, Qian & Zhu, Yan & Zhang, Zili, 2024. "The impact of local incentive-based legislation on the financing constraints of private firms–Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    18. Chao, Ching-Hsiang & Huang, Chih-Jen, 2022. "Firm performance following actual share repurchases: Effects of investment crowding out and financial flexibility," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    19. Liang, Xiao & Chen, Xiaomeng Charlene, 2024. "Mandatory corporate social responsibility disclosure and financial constraints: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 954-974.
    20. Kang, Qiang & Liu, Qiao, 2023. "Eliciting managerial willingness to invest: A revealed-preference approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-04625-1. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.nature.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.